For some reason I came right out of the gate ready to organize, and purge my home. Trust me when I tell you this is not my normal pattern for this time of year. I am usually in what I call a slump. This year it is a bit different for me I am still waiting for my slump to hit me.

I have made some good progress in my master bedroom closet, but unfortunately I had a little mishap with my knee so it has slowed me down a bit. I am hoping this little set back does not make me lose my momentum.

Since this month, and part of February finds us all in a bit of a Blah, Blah mood I thought maybe it would be a good time to write a post about something we can all do to put a little zip in our do-dah!!!

I made a New Years Resolution for my Design life this year in a guest post on MS Design Maven Blog. I decided that I want to add more color, and whimsy to my home.

I am drawn to happy colors, and cheerful rooms full of light. If I see a room like this it will inevitably put a smile on my face.

I am sure I am not alone in the desire to have rooms in my home that will put a smile on my face. I would never assume to think that adding color in your home would be the end all answer to the Blah’s, but I would venture to say there is , “A color” or a combination there of that will make you smile.

I told you I was going to show you some light filled happy spaces. I am not advocating that you design a room exactly like any of the rooms I will be showing you.

However, I hope that you will study each image, and notice where the pops of colors are placed, and maybe you can apply the same concept in your own home.

In the above image I am noticing a couple of things that I could possibly do in my home. The large colorful piece of art is a wonderful focal point. Look around your home to see if you have a wall, or walls that you could add a cheerful piece of art.

How about pulling your favorite color up to your chandelier, and painting your light fixture a bright color. An easier less expensive solution is the colorful rug, poufs and pillows.

In the above image you will notice that the main elements are all in a neutral gray. One pop of bright yellow makes this composition smile.

The simple flowers are just the right compliment to the yellow. I am sure we can all add some bright happy flowers to an end table, or an entry hall table. Think about finding a nice ottoman in a bright color to add to your neutral color scheme in a small dose.

I love this kitchen. I think this is a wonderful example of how the homeowner made an all white kitchen have personality. By choosing a bold pattern and colored wallpaper the whole room comes alive, even though it is one wall at the end of the room.

This one wall probably only took about four single rolls of wallpaper. Depending on the cost of the paper you could do this very inexpensively.

The other element that really adds to the style of this room is the use of the black trim on the roman shades. What the trim does is ground the wall and make it more sophisticated. An easy application with some trim on a ready made white roman shade and you can have another new addition to your home.

This image is a wonderful example of a neutral color scheme that gets some life by adding two lovely turquoise vases. We can all do this!! Maybe it won't be turquoise in your home, but think of a color that makes you smile and use that color. Mine would have to be cobalt, yellow or lime!!!

Speaking of lime green, if you were to remove the lime green lamp from this vignette it would not have the interest that it does with it. Look for a lamp base with some color, and add it to a dull corner of the room and watch it come to life.

A neutral gray kitchen comes alive with two of my happy colors, bright yellow, and cobalt blue. If you think about it the only permanent items with color are the bar stools, and they do not look as if they were very costly. Lemons and tulips, and daffodils can all be purchased at the grocery store. Doesn't this make you smile.

We have seen so many neutrals and colorless rooms in the recent past. I have been noticing more, and more color emerging, not just in home design but also in clothing. I am so glad to see it available to the consumer.

I don't know about all of you, but I am definitely going to try, and add a touch of more color to my home in 2012!!

I hope this post has given you a slight nudge towards finding a color that makes you smile, and that you can think of your own method of adding it to your home.

Love the examples in this post. My favorite one is the last one. I tire of too much color that I would have to live with for some time, so do all my colors seasonally and with accessories, for the most part, not entirely. Hope you're feeling better. I can't stop looking at the light fixture in the last picture. I love "orbs" and I NEED that fixture!! :) Toy

Wow that last picture is so eye catching, love the pop of yellow in there. I do like color but in modreation, and admittedly am not too risky about bright colors. But for my tiny little office I do want to do something fun and different from the rest of the house, so am looking at all kinds of possibilities. I love this post because it shows very effectively the impact that a pop of bright color can have in a space/room.

I LOVE the pops! I always try neutrals for myself and clients, but ALWAYS wind up with at least the pops! I especially love that green glass lamp. I am a green girl! Thanks for mentioning the MS Design Maven New Year's post! I am so glad you came to the party, Kathysue!

Hey dear friend - I am sorry to hear about your knee. You didn't tell me. I assume its the bad one too. :(

You know, you talk about adding more color to your home - I can't help but wonder if its something we need right now with all the doom and gloom around us in this world. Color is a magical thing. Funny thing, my kitchen was FULL of color (red cabs) and since I painted them white - my kitchen is such a cheerier place to be. Isn't that a strange thing. Taking away color made the room better.

Love your post, as always.

Hugs, and hope you are feeling better soon. Take it easy - don't push yourself like I know you always do.

Yeah - I love all your colorful choices, especially that second image with the blues and greens. Sorry to hear about your knee and I hope it's feeling better. With shopping the Atlanta show and getting ready to show in NY, my get-up-and-go has gone-up-and-left!xxoo

Oh i got excited when I saw the opening to this post - what colours make me smile. Easy I thought. Same as you. Blue, green, white. In any combination. I am in the process of unpacking and trying to decorate and style and trying to inject some fun and colour into the house, while staying classic and traditional and not doing anything too trendy or that I will tire of or think, ew, in a few years.

Kathysue, I so agree. I have to have a little color around me. I also found my self smiling as I viewed these images. I am also trying to add some fun to my decor. I was also cleaning and organizing my home and hurt my back. Hope your knee is doing better.

We do love color and the impact it makes, but we are also big fans of white! There is something so refreshing about a white room filled with beautiful things: antiques, lighting, furniture, textures. Great post as always, Kathysue! xo E + J